Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Today in Rogers Park is a series to inform our community of relevant daily events, including the arts, entertainment, presentations and community meetings. - Bill Morton

Mayne Stage - The Sam Fazio Trio

1328 W. MORSE AVENUE CHICAGO, IL. 60626

With a nod to the historic past of this grand facility, Mayne Stage features a restaurant (Act One Pub) and performance space that reflects the unique and diverse history of Rogers Park. Mayne Stage is happy to present a variety of terrific acts in its 230-seat multipurpose entertainment venue.

Chicago native, Sam Fazio, made his return to the music scene in 2009 and has been making an impact ever since. Sam’s music is hip, elegant and bold. Sam puts a new spin on the songs you love, as he interprets jazz standards and the American Songbook with class and care. Sam has performed sold-out shows at classic jazz clubs like Andy’s Jazz Club and Segal’s Jazz Showcase, and can be seen regularly at many venues throughout Chicagoland. In addition, Sam frequently performs shows outside the Chicago area, and recently returned from a performance in New York City at the legendary Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency. Sam’s sophomore CD, I Wish You Love, was recently released on Blujazz Records and has received much acclaim from media and radio outlets. In this special show, Sam is joined by Chris White on piano, who serves as musical director and arranger for the show. Joe Policastro, one of Chicago’s best jazz players, also joins them on bass to complete the trio. Guitar hero, Andy Brown, will also join Sam for a special acoustic set.

Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Fundraiser at the Poitin Stil Chicago (Jarvis and Greenview) for you and your favorite four-legged friend(s) ... yes, you're both welcome inside.

While you're sipping a cocktail and getting to know your two-legged neighbors, your best friend can run around inside ... think indoor dog park ... plus you get to take a photo with Santa. (Photo can be "fido" and Santa .. or you can be in the photo too.) ... Makes a cute Holiday card. Photoshot costs only $10!

Proceeds support the ongoing maintenance and improvements at your local Rogers Park dog park: Paw-ttawattomie Park. Ongoing support and maintenance is exclusively through private fundraising.

Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Complimentary wine tasting are hosted every Monday and Friday of the month at Taste Food & Wine from 5pm - 8pm. Purchase of a bottle of wine is highly recommended to support this great local business.

Tremendous surge in Co-op Grocery Stores nationally is also happening right here in Rogers Park.

Rogers Park Food Co-op will host a meeting December 4th to update the community on the progress of the co-op launch and grow support.

Sharon Hoyer, General Manager of the Dill Pickle Co-op in Logan Square and Tom Rosenfeld, owner of Earth First Farms and Heartland Café in Rogers Park will share their experience and insights about the benefits of a community-owned grocery store.

Rogers Park Food Co-op community meeting:

Date: Wednesday, December 4th

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Place: United Church of Rogers Park

1545 W. Morse Ave., 3rd Floor (Morse at Ashland)

Chicago, IL 60626

The Rogers Park Food Co-op initially grew out of kitchen table conversations between a mother and daughter, Mary Meyer and Jocelyn Gerard, longtime Rogers Park residents and community organizers. “I am excited about creating a neighborhood food store serving and engaging the community in a beautiful welcoming space,” says Mary Meyer.

In December 2012, initial meetings were held bringing together a group that evolved into a Founders Group. In February 2013, four members of the Founders Group attended the Food Co-op Initiative Start-Up Conference in Bloomington, IN (http://www.foodcoopinitiative.coop/). The conference provided information on how to build a co-op. It turns out there is an established model to follow and a wealth of resources available from other established and start-up co-ops across the country.

With the growing demand for more local produce and expansion of farmers markets across the city, it seems obvious that Chicago is hungry for healthy food choices. A co-op is the perfect choice for Rogers Park with its activist roots and diversity. These qualities make for a strong community, which is critical in creating a co-op. The co-op would provide access to trusted sources for healthy food, local and organic produce, and artisanal foods seven days a week and all year long and be a neighborhood gathering place. Sandi Price of Rogers Park Business Alliance says that RPBA “supports the establishment of a Food Co-op in Rogers Park. It’s a great way of keeping Rogers Park dollars in the community while promoting fresh, local, sustainable and healthy food.”Fun Facts…

Co-op businesses succeed at a greater rate than traditional business models. According to Stuart Reid, executive director of the Minnesota-based Food Co-op Initiative, “the success rate of startup co-ops” compared to typical new small businesses, “is very high.” There are 5 active start-up groups in the area. According to Reid, “Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States with the fewest open co-ops. There are other mid to large cities with clusters of co-ops in development, however Chicago has the one of the strongest market areas for co-ops to impact their communities and the local economy.”

We are part of a national trend. According to Reid, there has been “tremendous” growth in the U.S. in existing co-ops as well as the emergence of new ones in recent years…based on information he has been able to collect, there are about 330 fully functioning food co-ops in the country, including 68 that started up in the last eight years. The Food Co-op Initiative also is working with 130 groups starting up new food co ops, including about 10 in Illinois. (Chicago Tribune, September 18, 2013, Food Co-ops Growing Around the Country)

The benefits of a food co-op are many and include keeping money in the community, creating local jobs that pay a living wage, and having a trusted source for fresh, local, sustainable, and healthy food year round.

The Rogers Park Food Co-op will help grow the local economy and support local sustainable farmers and food artisans. It will serve as a gathering place for the neighborhood of Rogers Park, embracing the diversity of the neighborhood and fostering stronger ties among the different social and ethnic groups, a key value of Rogers Park residents.

Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Complimentary wine tasting are hosted every Monday and Friday of the month at Taste Food & Wine from 5pm - 8pm. Purchase of a bottle of wine is highly recommended to support this great local business.

Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Complimentary wine tasting are hosted every Monday and Friday of the month at Taste Food & Wine from 5pm - 8pm. Purchase of a bottle of wine is highly recommended to support this great local business.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

I'm thankful for my small apartment, which is located in a warm, secure building along Ashland near Pratt in Rogers Park.

I'm thankful for my business, Bill Morton Promotions, which is a constant project ... and I like projects. I am thankful that the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, which I founded, has taken off, and is growing with it's membership every day.

Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Complimentary wine tasting are hosted every Monday and Friday of the month at Taste Food & Wine from 5pm - 8pm. Purchase of a bottle of wine is highly recommended to support this great local business.

Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Complimentary wine tasting are hosted every Monday and Friday of the month at Taste Food & Wine from 5pm - 8pm. Purchase of a bottle of wine is highly recommended to support this great local business.

UPDATE:

We'll be pouring the Beaujolais Nouveau of the season, just in, at this evening's free wine tasting - 5-8pm, while supplies last. Also, Guigal Cote du Rhone, Varichon et Clerc brut - dry, festive, French bubbly - and a new Blanco Tequila in the house. Amazing quality! Come and Taste!

Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Complimentary wine tasting are hosted every Monday and Friday of the month at Taste Food & Wine from 5pm - 8pm. Purchase of a bottle of wine is highly recommended to support this great local business.

Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Complimentary wine tasting are hosted every Monday and Friday of the month at Taste Food & Wine from 5pm - 8pm. Purchase of a bottle of wine is highly recommended to support this great local business.

Taste is a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park. Owned and operated by a close-knit group who is deeply rooted in the European tradition, this little shop maintains a friendly and accessible attitude towards wine. Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

"Taste Food and Wine has one of the most beautiful, romantic atmosphere's I've ever encountered. I can take myself out of Rogers Park and imagine myself in another country, tasting a wine at a vineyard. It has such a unique charm, I can't help but be enamored with the place. The people are very helpful, answering calls and questions non-stop, and assisting you the moment you walk in their door". - Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce on Taste

Complimentary wine tasting are hosted every Monday and Friday of the month at Taste Food & Wine from 5pm - 8pm. Purchase of a bottle of wine is highly recommended to support this great local business.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Alder Kings are a three piece, high octane, high gain, instrumental psycho surfabilly band from Chicago.

The Alder Kings combine influences from greats like Dick Dale, Link Wray and The Cramps with a heavier, aggressive and decidedly spooky edge. Rooted in the classics, but definitely not your Daddy's surf.

Since forming in 2010 the fiery Chicago trio has played shows throughout the midwest and shared stages with national and international acts such as: Michale Graves, Blitzkid, The Rhythm Dragons,The Living Deads, Daikaiju, The Hudson Falcons, Jane Rose and the Dead End boys, Kill Baby Kill and The World Famous Krank Daddies.

In 2011 they released their debut EP "Who Goes there". The follow up, "Mister Creeper" was released in October, 2013 with a third release planned for summer 2014.

This photo set is of The Alder Kings performance last night at The Red Line Tap: 7006 N. Glenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626